One of my favorite movies of all times is Goodfellas. I was going through some pictures of our son from this weekend and his demeanor in the picture from yesterday’s Wordless Wednesday post reminded me of Tommy DeVito, Joe Pesci’s character. The first thought that entered my mind was the scene from the movie where Tommy lays into Henry Hill, Ray Liotta’s character, because Henry said that Tommy was funny.
Goodfellas’ reference aside, this picture is pretty special to me because the ring you see on his finger belonged to my paternal grandfather. The ring has been in my family for over 83 years now and it has been worn by him, my father, my uncle, me, my brother and now my son. Soon we will pass the ring off to my nephew who is nearly three months old so he can wear it.
A few months ago I wrote about my grandfather because he meant a lot to me. He passed away over five years ago now and very rarely does a day go by that I don’t think about him or catch myself saying something that he would have said.
He was happy to be able to pass this ring down to my father, just as my father was happy to be able to pass it down to me. It is my hope that if someday he is fortunate enough to welcome a son into the world that he will be able to pass the ring down to him.
It would have been really great if I could have met my wife and we could have had our son while he was still alive. However, the reality of the situation is that having a family just wasn’t something I was ready for back then. What I do know is that he really would have enjoyed meeting his great grandson.
I look forward to the day that we can both look at this picture together and my son will know his great grandfather from the stories I’ve shared with him. I feel it is my responsibility to help him learn about those that came before him by educating him on our family history and the wonderful experiences that I was able to have with all of my grandparents.
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{ 23 comments }
Great story man. Sounds like you had a strong family to pass the ring along from generation to generation.
Very cool story about the ring, and your grandfather. Souinds like a great man.
He might just surprise you as you take the ring away, and say “my precious”. But you must still pass it on. Don't give in.
Oral traditions are the best. My daughter (12) rolls her eyes when we start telling them now, but I know she'll be passing them on to her kids.
What a wonderful heirloom and piece of family history that you all have to share. Just make sure no one tries to eat it.
That's really cool, that you are passing the ring through the generations. I love family heirlooms.
Thank you, yes, I am very fortunate that my family has always been very close.
Thank you, he was, I miss him terribly. It took a little to get it back from him, but I convinced him it wasn't the ring he was searching for
I fully expect that to happen when I start the tales of yesteryear, I'm pretty sure I did the same thing. I guess there is something to be said for the wisdom that comes with age.
Ha! Thank you, we did have a rough time getting him to even keep it on, so we had to watch him like a hawk. Didn't feel like a trip to the ER.
Thank you, to be honest I didn't even remember it probably because I was so little when I wore it. But my dad gave it to me a few days after my son was born and I was so happy to have something like that, especially since my grandfather and I were so close.
That's really cool, that you are passing the ring through the generations. I love family heirlooms.
Thank you, yes, I am very fortunate that my family has always been very close.
Thank you, he was, I miss him terribly. It took a little to get it back from him, but I convinced him it wasn't the ring he was searching for
I fully expect that to happen when I start the tales of yesteryear, I'm pretty sure I did the same thing. I guess there is something to be said for the wisdom that comes with age.
Ha! Thank you, we did have a rough time getting him to even keep it on, so we had to watch him like a hawk. Didn't feel like a trip to the ER.
Thank you, to be honest I didn't even remember it probably because I was so little when I wore it. But my dad gave it to me a few days after my son was born and I was so happy to have something like that, especially since my grandfather and I were so close.
What a wonderful heirloom and piece of family history that you all have to share. Just make sure no one tries to eat it.
That's really cool, that you are passing the ring through the generations. I love family heirlooms.
Thank you, yes, I am very fortunate that my family has always been very close.
Thank you, he was, I miss him terribly. It took a little to get it back from him, but I convinced him it wasn't the ring he was searching for
I fully expect that to happen when I start the tales of yesteryear, I'm pretty sure I did the same thing. I guess there is something to be said for the wisdom that comes with age.
Ha! Thank you, we did have a rough time getting him to even keep it on, so we had to watch him like a hawk. Didn't feel like a trip to the ER.
Thank you, to be honest I didn't even remember it probably because I was so little when I wore it. But my dad gave it to me a few days after my son was born and I was so happy to have something like that, especially since my grandfather and I were so close.
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